Seimas to consider obligation for international schools to teach Lithuania's history

Lithuania's parliament will consider an obligation for international schools operating in the country to teach Lithuania's history, geography and active citizenship to children who are citizens of Lithuania.

Earlier this week, the parliament approved for discussion a relevant amendment to the Education Law initiated by the chairman of the parliamentary Education and Science Committee, Eugenijus Jovaiša of the ruling Lithuanian Farmers and Greens Union. The bill will now be discussed in committees before requesting a conclusion from the government.

Under the bill, Lithuanian citizens attending schools founded by foreign states and international organizations in Lithuania should "complete the program of Lithuanian history, geography and active citizenship stipulated by the minister of education and science."

Jovaiša said in the presentation of the draft law said the changes would apply to at least three schools attended by a few hundred underage Lithuanian citizens.

"There is the Vilnius International School, the American International School of Vilnius and the Vilnius International Lyceum that enroll 785 students in grades one to 12, including 590 Lithuanian citizens. This means that 75 percent of them are Lithuanian citizens and, I want to emphasize, they do not get systematized teaching of Lithuanian history and Lithuanian geography," said Jovaiša.

Currently, compulsory teaching of the Lithuanian language is the only requirement for international schools in Lithuania.

Jovaiša emphasized that international schools operated as non-state establishments, however, also receive state funding in the form of student basket.